As junior officers are barred from public hearings 
Senate, Congress Grill Abaya

If one is looking for proof that the military rebels have gained the sympathy of the public more than the Macapagal-Arroyo government, the most obvious one is the dogged effort of the government and Armed Forces of the Philippines to keep the alleged coup leaders from the public, be it a congressional hearing or a cell phone interview, and at the risk of earning the solons’ wrath.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA

Bulatlat.com

AFP generals hold a frenzied caucus with Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez when they could not answer the senators' questions during the hearing

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya was reprimanded by congressmen for preventing the junior officers involved in the July 28 mutiny from attending the Congress probe Thursday July 31.

In the Senate committee of the whole Friday August 1, Abaya admitted that the junior officers already reached Tandang Sora along Commonwealth Ave., less than a kilometer away from the House, when he ordered their return to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Abaya said there was a miscommunication.

The Senate has summoned the leaders of the mutiny such as Lt. Sg. Antonio Trillanes IV, Lt. Sg. Eugene Gonzales, Lt. Sg. James Layug, Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, and Capt. Garry Alejano for investigation.

Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta said Abaya’s confession contradicted the general’s earlier pronouncements.  Abaya and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said they decided not to allow the junior officers to attend the Senate and Congress hearings for security reasons.

Golez said a sniper attack is always possible when they transport the Magdalo group from Camp Aguinaldo to the Senate.  “The security of those involved is intertwined with the national security.”

However, Abaya admitted that there was no sniper attempt last Thursday even if they used a mini-bus for transportation.

At the Congress hearing, Rep. Didagen Dilangalen of Maguindanao was enraged when Abaya reasoned out that the threat is still alive.

“I suggest that he [Abaya] resign because he is incompetent,” Dilangalen said before the Committee on National Defense.   

Unaccounted

Abaya revealed there are several members of the coup attempt who are still-at-large.  He said, however, that he has yet to know the exact number.  “Some went back.  Others who left their posts before, during and after the Oakwood incident have not returned since.”

Abaya further revealed that a course director of a Scout Ranger regiment was among those unaccounted.  Abaya said the junior officer had brought with him sniper caliber rifles. 

Honasan

Meanwhile, Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan who has been linked by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina in the mutiny was not present during the hearings.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he had talked to Honasan who said he was just taking precautions.

Opposition Sen. Vicente Sotto III said Honasan did not come “out of delicadeza.”

Lina on the other hand said he considers Honasan a "threat" to national security.

He presented what he calls “circumstantial evidence” to Honasan’s involvement, which was the rebel soldiers’ promotion of Honasan’s National Recovery Program. The NRP is Honasan’s platform for presidential bid.

Lina also cited the rallies staged by the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) a few hours after the rebels staged the siege. Lina said Honasan is the Supreme Godfather of the group.

Lina said the PGBI rallies provided the ‘civilian component’ of the mutiny, asserting it was not a mere coincidence but a well-orchestrated plan.

Sen. Edgardo Angara castigated Lina for not respecting the due process, ”You are openly confessing to the whole world that you condemn the man [Honasan].”  Angara chided, “…As head of the police organization, no one in this room or outside is safe.”

Reyes

A resolution was filed before the Congress seeking the resignation of Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes ‘as an essential condition for the credible outcome of the investigation.’

Reyes was named by the Magdalo group as one of the masterminds of the Davao bombings. But in the Congress hearing, Reyes denied having masterminded the bombings.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Benasing Macarambon questioned the AFP’s Four-Point Policy on Mindanao conflict.  Macarambon cited from the document comprehensive psywar operations that have a demonizing effect on the Muslims.

Reyes said the document, supposedly signed by Gen. Eduardo Ermita, was a fake. 

Reyes said those who orchestrated the mutiny wanted to create disillusionment among junior officers and ordinary soldiers. “They are consistent in their lies,” Reyes said, without mentioning names. Bulatlat.com

Photos by Aubrey SC Makilan

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